Dustin Hoffman
Ted Kramer
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Kramer vs. Kramer is a 1979 American legal drama film about a couple's divorce and its impact on their son. The film stars Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep, and won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor.
Dec 19, 1979 · Kramer vs. Kramer: Directed by Robert Benton. With Dustin Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Jane Alexander, Justin Henry. After his wife leaves him, a work-obsessed Manhattan advertising executive is forced to learn long-neglected parenting skills, but a heated custody battle over the couple's young son deepens the wounds left by the separation.
- (156K)
- Drama
- Robert Benton
- 1979-12-19
- Overview
- Production notes and credits
- Cast
- Academy Award nominations (* denotes win)
Kramer vs. Kramer, American dramatic film, released in 1979, that tells the wrenching story of a divorce and custody battle from the point of view of the adults. The movie, which starred Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep, won numerous awards, among them the Academy Award for best picture.
Ted Kramer (Hoffman) is a high-powered advertising executive who focuses almost exclusively on his work. As the movie begins, he has just landed a large account for his company. After celebrating, he arrives home to his wife, Joanna (Streep), who announces that she is leaving him. Ted does not take her seriously at first but panics when she tells him that she is also leaving their six-year-old son, Billy (Justin Henry). Over the next few weeks, Ted and Billy struggle in Joanna’s absence. Billy challenges his father, and Ted is frequently angered when Billy’s needs interfere with his ability to focus on work. As time goes on, however, Ted becomes less self-centred and adjusts to being Billy’s parent, and Billy gets used to Ted as his caretaker. Ted and his recently divorced neighbour, Margaret (Jane Alexander), who had been Joanna’s confidante, become friends. In a scene that illustrates Ted’s new dedication to his son’s welfare, Billy falls off a jungle gym at a park, badly cutting his face, and Ted races with him to a nearby hospital.
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While his home life improves, Ted’s work situation suffers. Since he is no longer able to devote himself fully at the office, he eventually loses his job. Some 15 months after having left, Joanna returns, saying that she now feels capable of mothering Billy and that she will seek full custody of the child. Ted and Joanna each begin meeting with lawyers and crafting strategies to paint the other as a bad parent. Ted, frantic to get a new job before the custody hearing, negotiates a significant pay decrease in order to secure immediate employment. At the hearing, each lawyer brutally attacks the other parent, bringing up the number of lovers whom Joanna has had during the separation as well as the injury that Billy suffered in the playground while Ted was watching. Though Margaret testifies that Ted has become a devoted parent, custody is ultimately awarded to Joanna. When Ted learns that Billy would have to testify if he should appeal, he drops that idea and prepares Billy for the new situation. On the day that Billy is to go home with Joanna, she tells Ted that she has realized that Billy’s home is with him and that she will not be taking him.
Kramer vs. Kramer was based on a 1977 novel of the same title by Avery Corman. François Truffaut was considered to direct the film, and Nestor Almendros, who frequently worked with Truffaut, was hired as cinematographer. Eventually, Robert Benton, who adapted the story for the screen, was chosen to direct. During filming, Hoffman and Streep reportedly had a strained working relationship as Hoffman allegedly employed questionable techniques to enhance Streep’s performance. In one noted example, he slapped the actress during a scene without telling her beforehand. Despite such tensions, both gave Oscar-winning performances.
•Studios: Columbia Pictures and Stanley Jaffe Productions
•Director: Robert Benton
•Writer: Robert Benton (screenplay)
•Cinematography: Nestor Almendros
•Dustin Hoffman (Ted Kramer)
•Meryl Streep (Joanna Kramer)
•Justin Henry (Billy Kramer)
•Jane Alexander (Margaret Phelps)
•Picture*
•Lead actor* (Dustin Hoffman)
•Supporting actor (Justin Henry)
•Supporting actress* (Meryl Streep)
•Supporting actress (Jane Alexander)
•Cinematography
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Winner of 5 Academy Awards®, Kramer vs. Kramer is a ground- breaking drama about the heartbreak of divorce and the struggle between work and family. Young husband and father Ted Kramer (Dustin Hoffman) loves his family - and his job, which is where he spends most of his time.
- 104 min
On the same day Manhattan advertising executive Ted Kramer (Dustin Hoffman) lands the biggest account of his career, he learns that his wife, Joanna (Meryl Streep), is leaving him and their young...
- (102)
- Robert Benton
- PG
- Dustin Hoffman
A classic drama about a divorce and a custody battle, starring Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep. Ebert praises the realistic dialog, the performances and the director's refusal to take sides.
Dec 30, 2011 · A drama film about a divorced father and son's relationship, starring Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep. Learn about the film's synopsis, cast, awards, trivia and watch clips on TCM.
